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My bladder, my life

Bladder management

  • Bladder types
  • Starting with catheters
  • Problems
  • Life hacks
  • Inside the bladder
  • Equipment
Problems
  • Working out what's wrong
    • I normally perform intermittent catheters and have recently started leaking in between
    • I have a suprapubic catheter and have recently started leaking out my penis or urethra
    • I’ve had lots of UTIs lately and they seem to keep coming back after I finish my antibiotics
    • I’m having trouble passing my catheter
  • Other problems
    • Watching your fluids
    • How to avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI)
    • Autonomic dysreflexia
    • Bladder and kidney stones
    • Prostatitis
    • Leaking
    • Bleeding
    • Vesicoureteral reflux
    • Hydronephrosis
    • Stricture
    • False passage
    • Catheter blockages
    • Bladder washout

    Watching your fluids

    Fluid balance diary

    Sometimes you might be asked to keep a diary to track how much you drink and how much urine you are producing, and when. This is sometimes known as a voiding diary. The diary helps you, and your doctor or nurse, make any changes to your current management that might be needed.

    When using the diary, you should keep track of:

    • how much you drink
    • the time you have a drink
    • the amounts for each catheter or void
    • when the catheter is performed
    • any unplanned leaking

    You should use the diary for at least three days before you see your doctor or urology nurse.

    Monitor liquids in and out

    Pay attention to the colour of your urine. It should be light yellow to yellow all day long. The colour of urine can be a quick way to know whether you are drinking enough or too much during the day.

    Darker urine means that you are dehydrated, and pale yellow urine means you are well hydrated.

    Things to note:

    • Some drinks, such as coffee or alcohol, can make you produce more urine. Your urology nurse can provide tips on how to manage your bladder if you plan on drinking fluids that affect your output
    • Some medications may affect the colour of your urine – speak with your nurse or doctor if you are concerned.
    urine colour chart
    urine colour chart

    Catheter timing and volumes

    If you perform IC, it is important to pay attention to how much you are drinking because you might need to adjust your catheter times or do extra catheters. Most people will need to do 4 to 6 catheters per day (one every 4 to 6 hours). Your urine amounts should be less than 500mL per catheter.

    High/Low limits

    • 500mL do extra catheters (discuss with your nurse)
    • 300mL – 500mL and no leak – keep going
    • <300mL & dark urine – drink more.

    Leaking

    • If leaking occurs before each catheter and high volumes – do extra catheters
    • If leaking has no pattern – let your nurse know.

    Other problems
    How to avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI)

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    Quick links

    • Bladder types
    • Starting with catheters
    • Problems
    • Life hacks
    • Inside the bladder
    • Equipment

    About this resource

    This web resource is part of a research project to improve bladder management at the Austin, by increasing the use of intermittent catheterisation.

    The research project is funded by TAC.

    Submit your feedback

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    This research project is brought to you by

    Austin Health
    TAC
    ISCRR
    WorkSafe

    Contacts

    Austin Health
    03 9496 5000
    Victorian Spinal Cord Service
    03 9496 5220
    Spinal Urology Nurse
    03 9496 5904
    spinalurologynurse@austin.org.au
    VSCS outpatient Nurse
    03 9496 5176
    vscsoutpatients@austin.org.au

    Disclaimer

    This information has been developed for Austin Health use and has been specifically designed for Austin Health. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. Austin Health accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed on this website. Written information should only be used in conjunction with advice from the health professional who is looking after you.

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